Residents pick bond ballot items

City voters could approve new fire stations, "splash pads" and soccer fields and updates to a portion of a dilapidated central Lubbock corridor this fall.

Residents asked to study what projects should make the ballot for a roughly $61 million bond election in November will deliver written proposals pushing public safety, park enhancements that include soccer fields and two miles of improvements to 34th Street to the City Council later this week.

The recommendations seek improvements that avoid burdening taxpayers with extensive maintenance or other related, long-term costs - though the projects could add a recurring penny to the city's maintenance and operation tax rate, said Kevin McMahon, chairman of the Citizens Advisory Committee.

Road improvements and fire safety dominate the recommendations, he said. Paving certain portions of Southwest Lubbock where the city keeps road equipment could reduce upkeep on roads, and the committee included improvements to the traffic system that will allow better management of lights across the city, McMahon said.

The committee will also propose converting two miles of 34th Street between Avenue Q and Indiana Avenue to concrete, along with curb and sidewalk improvements.

The proposal leaves portions of the small business corridor untouched. Construction would need to move slowly, he said.

"That will take a little time to work through because we don't want to deny access to those businesses," McMahon said. "We could, by trying to improve their lot in life, end up hurting them, running them out of business."

But the project could also demonstrate what further investment in the area could do, he said.

"It'll also showcase what can happen to the core of our city," McMahon said.

The committee proposes three new fire stations, at $2.5 million in initial costs for each, along the southern edge of the city.

New fire facilities could help reduce insurance rates in the area, he said, citing improvements to the Lubbock's safety ratings that dropped annual costs through most of the city earlier this year.

Other proposed improvements include up to 45 soccer fields, with restroom and concession facilities to match, that proponents believe will help recruit regional and statewide tournaments to fill local hotels.

Parents and players who spoke at public hearings held by the commission described unsafe fields and woefully small facilities that prevented Lubbock from hosting such tournaments and put players at risk of injury.

The commission will also recommend "splash pads" at four parks in lieu of pools - rubberized playground equipment with fountains and sprays that requires much less maintenance and upkeep than a standard, municipal pool.

"Just a good place to get wet and play," said parks director Randy Truesdale.